The City of Brantford launched a province-wide advocacy campaign to urge both the Ontario and federal governments to take stronger action against scrap metal theft and repeat property crimes on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The campaign is in response to reports from local business owners regarding escalating incidents of break-ins, copper wire theft, and property destruction. The crimes have resulted in significant financial losses, increased insurance premiums, and have caused safety concerns among employees.
While the City’s Salvage Yard Bylaw 37-2024, adopted in 2024, strengthened local regulations by requiring traceable transactions and banning cash payments, City representatives say it has become clear that municipal efforts alone are not enough to deter organized theft operations.
In August 2025, Brantford City Council approved a motion from Ward 4 Councillor Linda Hunt directing staff to launch an advocacy campaign urging the Province of Ontario to implement a consistent province-wide scrap metal statute and calling on the Government of Canada to modernize the Criminal Code and reform the bail system to better protect communities from repeat offenders.
“Local businesses are suffering the same losses over and over again because offenders can simply cross municipal lines and continue operating without consequence,” said Hunt. “This campaign gives our business community a direct voice to provincial and federal leaders, urging them to close the loopholes that allow this cycle to continue. We need unified, enforceable laws that protect our communities and the people who work so hard to sustain them.”
Brantford businesses are now being asked to share their experiences directly with elected officials and decision makers using a customizable letter template available at brantford.ca/AdvocacyforStrongerScrapMetalLaws. Each letter provides a space for business owners to describe the personal and financial impact of theft, as well as the challenges posed by repeat offenders released on bail.
The campaign’s overall goal is to strengthen the voices of Brantford businesses, and encourage legislative reform that ensures consistency across Ontario while improving community safety and accountability.
To download the advocacy letter template, impacted business owners are encouraged to visit brantford.ca/AdvocacyforStrongerScrapMetalLaws. For more information, contact the City at 519-759-4150 ext. 5845 or economicdevelopment@brantford.ca.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
